Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien to return next month

It was initially feared that the powerful and versatile Ghanaian would miss the entire season after sustaining the injury in September.After playing in just two matches for Chelsea this campaign – against Wigan and Tottenham – Essien was forced to undergo surgery leaving the club without one of their most consistent performers over recent seasons. However, news that full fitness is within sight means Essien could return for Chelsea's Premier League fixtures against Manchester City and Tottenham next month. And should Chelsea negotiate their Champions League last 16 tie against Juventus, he would the be available for a quarter final in early April. 'According to rehabilitation physio Thierry Laurent, it should not take more than one month for me to play actively again,' Essien said. 'He has assured me that once we go through a few other exercises for two or three weeks, I should be fit enough to return to the pitch.'When Essien returns to fill training it will be with a different coach to when he last took an active role after Luiz Felipe Scolari's dismissal and the appointment of temporary replacement Guus Hiddink.Hiddink has overseen training at Chelsea this week and Essien approves of the appointment. 'Hiddink has been around for quite a while and knows what it takes to get positive results out of nothing,' he said. 'He is a fantastic manager so we hope he would bring the magic to give us the strength we need to mount a challenge in all competitions.'

Source: Telegraph